21 Toot(The Twenty-First Day of the Blessed Month of Tute)

The Martyrdom of St. Cyprian
(Cyprianus) and St. Justina

On this day also in the year
257 A.D. the honorable St. Cyprian
(Cyprianus) and St. Justina, were martyred. Cyprianus was an infidel and a
magician. He learned magic in the countries of northwest Africa until he
excelled over his fellows. His excessive impudence and his arrogance made him go
to Antioch to challenge the magicians there and to pride himself over them of
his knowledge.

When he arrived there, his fame spread. A young man,
the son of one of the nobles of the city, heard about him. This young man lusted
for a Christian virgin who was called Justina. He saw her going to church and
his heart became inflamed with her love. He was unable to obtain what he desired
of her either by money, threat, or magic.

He sought Cyprian and complained to him about his
condition, that he might make him gain favor with Justina's heart and fulfill
his desire of her. Cyprian promised him the fulfillment of his desire. He used
all the trickery of his sorcery but failed. Every time he sent her a host of
demons, they found her praying, so they came back defeated.

When Cyprian failed, he called the demons and told
them, "If you do not bring Justina to me, I shall adopt Christianity." The chief
of the demons thought out a device to deceive him. He ordered one of his
soldiers to disguise himself and to take the form of Justina and then go to
Cyprian. He hastened and made it known to Cyprian her coming, so he rejoiced and
waited for. her. Then Satan, disguised as Justina, came to him, and Cyprianus
rejoiced, and rose up to embrace her. Because of his great joy in her, he told
her, "Welcome, Queen of Women, Justina." Upon the mere mention of her name,
Satan, disguised as her, melted away and disappeared like smoke, and an
unpleasant smell spread out of him. Cyprianus knew that this was a deceitful
trick of Satan who could not stand before the mentioning of her name.

Immediately Cyprian rose up and burnt his books of
magic. He was baptized by the patriarch of Antioch who put on him the monastic
garb. After a while he ordained him a deacon, then a priest. Later on, after he
had grown in virtues and in the doctrine of the church, they ordained him bishop
of Carthage in the year
351 A.D. He took St. Justina and made her
the head of a convent there. When the Ecumenical Council convened at Carthage,
this saint was one of those who attended it.

When Emperor Decius heard of them he had them brought
before him, and he demanded them to raise incense for the idols. When they
refused, he inflicted upon them many tortures and finally cut off their heads
with the sword.